Just one woman's obsession with "stuff"

I must say that I was rather looking forward to a couple midweek days of stay in your jammies activity. There was so much snow we could barely get out of the house. And the shovel was in the garage anyway so we had to go out.

The dog, remember, he’s a dachshund so his belly is pretty close to the ground on a good day anyway, forged a path through the low spots between the drifts next to the garage. Lost him for a minute.

Then he popped up by the compost pile and obviously did not want to make the trek back. So I had to rescue him.

Time for something warm, usually reserved for weekend breakfast, but since we have time. . . .

A cheerful kitchen windowsill with a collection of old, very old bottles, a chippy santa mug, vintage (there’s that word again) santa candy mold and, of course, my handmade candy cane ornament. You can make one too, there is still time.

I bought these chenille stems at Hobby Lobby as is. They were with the Christmas crafts and may be sold out but you can twist red and white ones together yourself. Get the extra fluffly chenille stems. They just look better for this project.

I gave mine a tea bath overnight to give them that “vintage” look. See the difference? Then you can tumble them in the dryer (by themselves so they don’t get all bent), for a few minutes to dry and fluff them. It really doesn’t take long. Or you can air dry them, which does take a while, and fluff them by hand too. I’ve done it both ways, the dryer is easier.

Cut each stem in half, curl the end to make the cane shape. You can use the mouth of a bottle as a form to wrap the end around so they are all uniform and you aren’t forever fiddling with the shape, because you know you will.

Overlap two canes, put a dab of glue between them to hold them together. Let that dry and tie with a red bow. And if you’d like, brush the tops with glue and sprinkle with glitter. I used Martha Stewart’s “Snow” glitter. It really is flakey and sparkly, just like last night’s snow.

Below you can see my inspiration, a very old and brittle ornament from an estate sale.

Now, what to do with all these little lovelies. Hang them on the tree, or a cabinet knob, or a wreath. Display them in your chippy santa mug or an apothecary jar. Layer them in a bowl with starfish, tie them onto gifts, give them as holiday party favors. Put several in a clear bag, tie with a bow and give as a hostess gift. Print out the Legend of the Candy Cane, attach the ornament and give that as a gift.

This stack has been collecting and waiting for someone to have a free moment to catch a breath, make a cup of coffee, grab a piece of yummy shortbread from a cookie exchange and sit down. Not at the sewing machine, or work table, or ironing board, for I have become quite familiar with those places over the last three months. But actually in a comfy chair and look, however briefly, at some holiday inspiration.

And just as school is winding down for this calendar year, our personal calendar is filling up with church choir rehersals, a Christmas Tea party, gingerbread house decorating with cousins, plans for indoor rock climbing and mini golf, and surely some crafting and sledding. Ooooh, and some more baking.

I am so very excited to be participating in the very first Freeman Elementary School Holiday Shop Craft Show. Located at the school, you can shop this Friday, December 10 from 3pm until 7pm and Saturday, December 11 from 9am until 4pm. There will be lots of handmade goodness and holiday cheer to share so stop in and visit. There is no admission fee and the show is open to the public. Hope to see you!